James Cotter What is it?
Cowrie shells were the main source of currency in Africa, particularly in Igboland. The shells were first used as currency in 3200 B.C. the shells are small, yellowish white, and were also used in addition to metal coins. They were believed to cause good luck and were given as gifts. Why is it important to Nigeria?
The shells were used as the main source fof currency in Igboland. The shells were used for day to day transactions, and were a sign of someones wealth and power. The shells were given at weddings to the bride and groom. They represented good luck and fertility. Eventually a mass amount of shells were shipped to africa by the british, because they discovered that most africans qould rather be paid in shells than gold.They became almost worthless because of inflation. Gradually coins took the place of the shells, and soon the shells were no longer used as currency at all. even though the shells were wrothless they still represented good luck and were used in jewerly and art. While the shells were still the main currency they caused the creation of gambling games in Africa, and were used as parts of musical instruments and art.
Work cited: http://www.icsn.co.uk/page.php?pageID=currency http://www.lotusmasks.com/category/cowry-shells-african-mask.html
Cowries
James CotterWhat is it?
Cowrie shells were the main source of currency in Africa, particularly in Igboland. The shells were first used as currency in 3200 B.C. the shells are small, yellowish white, and were also used in addition to metal coins. They were believed to cause good luck and were given as gifts.
Why is it important to Nigeria?
The shells were used as the main source fof currency in Igboland. The shells were used for day to day transactions, and were a sign of someones wealth and power. The shells were given at weddings to the bride and groom. They represented good luck and fertility. Eventually a mass amount of shells were shipped to africa by the british, because they discovered that most africans qould rather be paid in shells than gold.They became almost worthless because of inflation. Gradually coins took the place of the shells, and soon the shells were no longer used as currency at all. even though the shells were wrothless they still represented good luck and were used in jewerly and art. While the shells were still the main currency they caused the creation of gambling games in Africa, and were used as parts of musical instruments and art.
Work cited:
http://www.icsn.co.uk/page.php?pageID=currency
http://www.lotusmasks.com/category/cowry-shells-african-mask.html
Cowrie shell art: http://www.genuineafrica.com/images/Kuba/Kuba_Bwoom_Mask_2Front.jpg
Shells: http://www.matoska.com/catgraph/cowrie_mon.gif
Cowrie shell rows: http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ism/slavery/graphics/cowrie_shells_detail.jpg